A few brave souls dipped their toes in to the cool North Sea but most preferred to play in the water fountains on Lowestoft’s Royal Plain, near to South Pier.

Children ran squealing through the jets of water whilst their parents mostly looked on from the benches nearby.

One or two adults were encouraged to release their inner child and dashed through the fountains fully clothed.

Cherise Norris, from Carlton Colville, was enjoying the fun with her daughter Grace, aged four.

She said: “The children love it. Especially the little ones. Grace can sometimes get scared of the waves so this is ideal. And it is a bit warmer than the sea.”

This year, the pavement fountains have been set to the music of Benjamin Britten to celebrate the centenary of his birth. Music is played every 30 minutes between 10am and 10pm.

A Waveney District Council spokesman said: “The Royal Plain Fountains are always an absolute joy but they come in to their own in this beautiful weather. Children absolutely love them and the sound of laughter mingling with the music of Benjamin Britten is about as good as a summer day gets.”